At Mini First Aid, we’re all about giving families the confidence to handle life’s little (and not so little) health challenges. But sometimes the health issues we need to talk about aren’t about bumps, burns or baby CPR - they’re about us.
March is Endometriosis Action Month so we’re shining a light on endometriosis - a chronic gynaecological condition that affects around 1 in 10 women of reproductive age in the UK (that’s around 1.5 million women). Yet so many of us still don’t really understand what it is, what the symptoms are, or when painful periods might actually be something more.
One of our lovely Mini First Aid team members, Charlotte, has lived with endometriosis since her early teens. She’s bravely shared her story to help other women feel less alone - and more empowered to seek support.
If you’ve ever Googled “Why are my periods so painful?” or “Could I have endometriosis?” - this one’s for you.
What is endometriosis?
Let’s take it back to GCSE biology for a moment.
Each month, your body builds up the lining of the womb (uterus). If pregnancy doesn’t happen, that lining sheds - which is your period.
With endometriosis, tissue similar to the womb lining grows outside the womb. It can be found on:
- Ovaries
- Fallopian tubes
- Bowel
- Bladder
- Other pelvic organs
This tissue behaves like womb lining - it thickens, breaks down and bleeds each month - but because it’s outside the womb, the blood has nowhere to go. This can lead to:
- Inflammation
- Scarring
- Adhesions (organs sticking together)
- Ovarian cysts
- Severe pain
And crucially - this pain isn’t always limited to your period.
Endometriosis symptoms: What to look out for
Endometriosis symptoms can vary from woman to woman, which is one reason it can take so long to diagnose (the UK average diagnosis time is often quoted at around 8 years - Charlotte’s took 24).
Common symptoms of endometriosis include:
- Very painful periods
- Pelvic pain at any time of the month
- Painful ovulation
- Heavy or prolonged periods
- Pain during or after sex
- Painful bowel movements
- Extreme fatigue
- Difficulty getting pregnant (though not always)
One important
takeaway?
If your period pain is causing you to pass out, miss school or work, or curl
up on the bathroom floor - that is not “just period pain.”
“It’s just period pain” - When it’s not
Charlotte’s symptoms started from her very first period at 13. She was leaving school in taxis because she couldn’t stand upright. She experienced extremely heavy bleeding and clots, intense pelvic pain and later, pain for much of the month - not just during her period.
For years, she was told she might “grow out of it.”
She didn’t.
And this is something we hear far too often.
As women - and particularly as mums - we’re very good at just cracking on. We tolerate discomfort. We downplay pain. We tell ourselves it’s normal.
But pain that disrupts your life is not something you should simply endure.
How Is endometriosis diagnosed?
If you suspect endometriosis, your first port of call is your GP.
Charlotte’s
biggest advice?
Keep a diary.
Track:
- When pain happens
- How severe it is (be honest!)
- How many days per month you’re affected
- Any impact on daily life
The only way to definitively diagnose endometriosis is via laparoscopic surgery (a keyhole procedure where doctors look inside the pelvis). Scans can show cysts but often cannot confirm endometriosis itself.
Treatment options may include:
- The combined contraceptive pill
- The Mirena coil
- Other hormonal treatments
- Surgery to remove endometriosis tissue
Every case is different, and decisions are very personal.
Living with endometriosis
There is currently no cure for endometriosis, but there are ways to manage symptoms.
For Charlotte, the Mirena coil significantly reduced her heavy bleeding and helped regulate her cycle. She still experiences pain, but it’s far more manageable than before.
Her practical tips for coping include:
- Take pain relief early - don’t wait for pain to escalate
- Keep medication accessible (safely stored if you have children)
- Use heat therapy - hot water bottles really are your friend
- Be open with close family and friends
- Give yourself permission to rest
And perhaps
most importantly:
Don’t feel guilty for saying no when your body needs you to.
The emotional impact of endometriosis
Chronic pain isn’t just physical.
It’s cancelling
plans.
It’s lying on the bathroom floor at 2am.
It’s worrying about letting your children down.
It’s feeling frustrated in your own body.
That mental toll is real - and it matters.
Validation can be powerful. When Charlotte was finally told by a consultant that she almost certainly had endometriosis, after decades of dismissal, it felt life-changing. Being believed matters.
What happens after menopause?
Endometriosis is most commonly associated with women of reproductive age. Symptoms often improve after menopause, but not always - particularly if scar tissue and adhesions are already present.
Because endometriosis behaves differently for everyone, ongoing medical advice is important as you move through different life stages.
Where to get support
If you’d like reliable information, support groups, or to read other women’s stories, we recommend Endometriosis UK.
They offer expert information and support for anyone affected by endometriosis, they also have free webinars throughout Endometriosis Action Month.
A final word from us
At Mini First Aid, we believe knowledge builds confidence - whether that’s knowing how to respond in an emergency or knowing when to advocate for your own health.
If your periods feel overwhelming, debilitating, or “not quite right,” please don’t brush it off.
You deserve to
be listened to.
You deserve pain relief.
And you absolutely deserve answers.
If this blog resonated with you, share it with a friend. Because chances are, someone in your circle is quietly struggling too.
And as always, if there are family health topics you’d love us to cover next, we’re all ears 💚
Listen to Charlotte tell her story on the Family Health by Mini First Aid podcast, or watch on YouTube.
Sources: NHS, Endometriosis UK
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